The Eels have no Origin representatives, so should go into this clash close to the 1-17 that was hammered by the Cowboys in Townsville. The Dragons will be without Josh Dugan and Tyson Frizell, who are both representing NSW in State of Origin 2.

The Eels have won five straight against the Dragons including a 34-16 Round 2 win earlier this year. Fijian flyer Semi Radradra had a match to remember, crossing for four tries in the 18-point win.

Parramatta are out of the Top 8 with their 7-7 record, though they still have two byes to come. After strong wins against Souths and New Zealand, the Eels were humiliated in Alice Springs by North Queensland, losing 32-6. The Eels have conceded at least 22 in 4 of their last 5. St George Illawarra are fourth on the ladder with an 8-5 record. After downing the Warriors and Tigers, the Saints were humiliated by a pretty ordinary Canterbury team 16-2. The Dragons have conceded more than 18 points just three times this year.

Both the Eels and Dragons will be looking to bounce back from disappointing last-start defeats when they square off on Sunday at ANZ Stadium.

St George Illawarra have lost a lot of steam since surging to the top of the ladder a couple of months ago, losing four of their last six matches, including a timid effort against Canterbury on Monday, failing to score a try in a 16-2 loss.

Considering the Bulldogs were in terrible form leading into the clash – and the Dragons’ only two wins over the last six weeks were against the embattled Tigers and the erratic Warriors – there’s a case to be made that Paul McGregor’s side are beginning to fall off.

There cause isn’t helped this week with two of their most influential players – Josh Dugan and Tyson Frizell – out on Origin duty.